Solution for Stuck "Preparing to Configure Windows. Please Do Not Turn Off Your Computer."

Stuck on "Preparing to Configure Windows" Update

If you use Microsoft Windows 7, you are likely familiar with the message “Preparing to configure Windows, please do not turn off your computer," appearing when you turn on your computer. This means your system is running its normal necessary updates, and it shouldn't take more than 20 minutes or half an hour.

Recently during one of these routine updates, however, I waited for more than eight hours with the same notification on my screen. I wondered if this was happening because of a particular update, and therefore routine, but that didn't seem to be the case. I did a hard reboot which under normal circumstances is not a good idea, but I had no other option. After turning back on, it went back to the same configuration process, stuck again.

Here are some things you can try to bail your system out of updating purgatory.

“Failure Configuring Windows Update" Error Message

"Failure configuring Windows updates" error message.

When trying to reboot, you may be confronted with the message, “Failure configuring Windows update. Reverting changes. Do not turn off your computer." This means that something in the update has failed, and the system is attempting to undo the updates and return to previous settings.

Don't panic! This process shouldn't take too long and you should be able to log in normally. If it works, you can then run the necessary updates manually.

However, if it gets stuck, there are things you can do to fix or work around this issue.

1. Reboot in Safe Mode

Switching on a computer system can be done from a number of modes, one of which is Safe Mode. This process will bypass the normal booting sequence of a computer. Before doing any of the following, see if your computer will reboot in Safe Mode. Once you are able to log on, you can repair the problem.

2. System Restore

You may need to undo the changes that were made during the aborted update. System Restore is built into Windows, and is a way to undo system changes without altering personal files.

Once you are able to log in using Safe Mode, go to Start and type System Restore into the Search box.

Select System Restore. Selected Recommended Restore and Next. Review the restore point, then select Finish. You may be prompted to supply your administrator username and password. To choose a different restore point, select Choose a Different Restore Point.

To review selected restore points, click Scan for Affected Programs, to learn how each restoration would impact your system.

System Restore will revert the system back to a Restore Point, which has been automatically created by Windows.

Before running into any update problems, you can also manually create a restore point. To do so:

Go to the System Restore box and select Create a Restore Point.

A System Properties window will open. Select Create...

You will be prompted to give your restore point a name. Select Create and wait for the restore point to be created.

3. Prevent Windows Update From Getting Stuck

Maintain your system by checking for and installing updates as recommended. This way, many updates won't stack on top of each other, and are less likely to face errors or incompatibilities. Install updates as soon as you receive the notification.

Install a reliable antivirus program and malware remover. Viruses or bad files can be interfering with updates.

If the above solutions fail, you may need to contact a certified manufacturer technician, as there may be hardware issues.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Questions & Answers

Questions must be on-topic, written with proper grammar usage, and understandable to a wide audience.

Question:

When I open my pc [Windows 7] it says "Configuring Service Pack Please..... Computer" it says that for ten minutes then it says Shut down and it does this every time I turn it on. What must I do?

Answer:

Did you just format your PC? you may need to take it to a certified computer technician for a check-up and an update of the service pack.

Comments

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sending

Allan

5 months ago

Thanks it works

Wesley

5 months ago

I have a similar problem, but not the same, i also get "preparing to congigure ..." message, but after a few minutes, my pc just reboots allover again ...

Xej

8 months ago

It doestn do anything when i try to go to safe mode it saids the same message

Chelsea

9 months ago

I got my laptop from my grandparents. It won't stop. I tried multiple days and hours without anything happening. It's just stuck and won't change. Help?

Lan

10 months ago

Thanks Heidi. That works for me.

Heidi

11 months ago

I just had the same problem and the Update screen had been on for almpst an hour. I then tried to press Ctrl+Alt+Del and it went straight to the login screen.

Tamir Omara

11 months ago

Try disconnecting the computer from the internet. It worked for me!

Emily

15 months ago

Yeah I've been having the same problem too!

I've waited for like 1 whole day for the reverting update thing but sadly Im still stuck on it ... I think I'll probably sell my laptop to the junkyard -_-

Albert

15 months ago

Same problem try press Windows bottom corner left press settings press update security Windows press update scroll down to change active hours start time means when you use your laptop business 9 till 5 that's when it's active so ends at 5 after that the downloads will start and stop at 9 in the morning hope this works let me know cheers p/s forgot to say after your time save it.

Nureni Lekan

17 months ago

Hi Please My HP Laptop is giving me problem, The system keep saying window preparing configure, And is very slow to operate. please kindly help me out. From Nigeria.

Joe

19 months ago

Hi, I just bought myself a new HP laptop from Argos in my home city of Dublin, Ireland on last Saturday and there is a problem with it. It gets stuck on the screen saying, "Preparing to configure Windows. Don't turn off your computer" when I selected restart and it won't restart. It takes a very long time to configure Windows. I've been waiting for about an hour. It's really weird. I am very worried and stressed about it.

Can you tell how do I fix this problem?

Thanks

Rob

23 months ago

While configuring after few seconds it stops.and the loading ring stops rotating

Please help meeeee

T babes

2 years ago

Thank you so much. It works for me. God bless you.

Chiefcmg

2 years ago

My new laptop is 2 days old and its doing this ? Im getting my 600 dollars back refund dumb idiots who make laptops

tasha

2 years ago

Hello, my computer is stuck on configuring please do not turn off computer! its been like that for 6 hours I am a business I need it up! any ideas how to get that to go away?

Benson Kela

2 years ago

Tnx Boss, u just brought me out of a big challange. Keep up the good work.

Gware

2 years ago

Have experienced this issue on computer that Windows 7 installed on for 6 years when installing May 2017 updates. Left computer on for approximately 9.5 hours and issue resolved itself. Appears to be just another Microsoft issue with installation of updates on some computers.

Mahdie

2 years ago

Hi. My lap top is preparing confiugre windows more than 12 hours and it do not shut down. Please tell me a solution

Laetitia

2 years ago

What's written in my older brother's PC is "Configuring Windows Updates 12% complete do not turn off your PC" but it's always stuck at 12%. I've been waiting for like the whole day but it's still like that. It restarts and goes to configuring again. By the way I think his PC is still using Windows 7. I'm afraid that he will scold me. What should I do?

AUTHOR

Omogiade Stephen Nosakhare

2 years agofrom Lagos, Nigeria.

You can contact a certified technician if the solution provided did not solve your problem. There may be other issues.

Tracey

2 years ago

I have tried f8 and ctrl+alt+del and it's still stuck on 15% configuring? Its not doing anything! Is there something else I can try?

Rob

2 years ago

Thanks Deniz! That did the trick.

Michael

3 years ago

When in safe mode make sure C: drive is not out of space. In my case I have to increase the size of C: drive which fixed the problem. I have virtual environment, if your PC is physical make sure you delete unwanted space from your C: drive to get back the space.

Umesh

3 years ago

Please disable auto restart option in F8 function then it will work.

tochii

3 years ago

My window 7 has been stucked on the failure to configure page. I have tried safe mode as directed but it still gets stucked same place. Can any other thing I done with me having to lose my files?

:(

Vincent Baird

3 years ago

If pc continuously 'reverting changes' manually install the available Windows updates one at a time until you find the failing update- troubleshoot individually, or exclude the failing update from the install list

ranjana kaplish

3 years ago

Failure. Configuration. Windows update reverting changes..do not turn off. Your computer... Its showing this thing.. What should i do??

Patrick

4 years ago

Deniz you saved my life!!

Never did a hard restart but was still stuck on the "Preparing to configure Windows..." and trying to be patient. Stuck all night. CTRL+ALT+DEL brought the login prompt right up!!

Thanks!

A.Hop

4 years ago

Ironic, at this very moment my laptop is stuck on the "Failure Configuring Windows Updates" error message screen (for the past 3 hours), and I just discovered that I do not have restore points at all on that system, as I just installed a new hard drive yesterday. This means I get to reinstall Windows 7 - all over again. Fortunately, I also have this relic of a desktop...

insky

4 years ago

It was not possible initially to start my computer as I could not get past

the message Failure configuring updates uninstalling programs do not turn off your computer, however I found that holding down the Enter key

for several seconds enabled the computer to start.

I hope this is just a one off.

Gerald

4 years ago

thanks a lot of this article it help my problem. god bless

Celeste

4 years ago

Last week I had 10 updates which failed and I had to revert back to an older update. Now for a week I have tried to install updates (146 of them now because I reverted to back before a service package) anyway... The updates install then when I turn it back on it goes to configuring windows update - doesn't pass 0% before failure to configure and I get stuck in the reverting stage.

Reading a windows troubleshoot said to turn off antivirus for one reset then turn back on once configured. Still failing to configure.

Any advice on why this may be?

AUTHOR

Omogiade Stephen Nosakhare

4 years agofrom Lagos, Nigeria.

Thanks for all comments. I observed that starting some systems from safe mode may not resolve the issue. It is however the primary starting point which has proved useful as attested to many computer users. If the configuration process is 100% done as written on the system screen, you need to be patient, no cause for alarm.

If every avenue to get it resolved is exhausted, you may need to re-install an operating system.

Joe black

5 years ago

My laptop said please wait and I waited 20minutes already.Can someone please fix this and tell how to do it and it said restarting but it went back the same problem.

Tracy

5 years ago

Omogiade, thank you so much for posting this. I waited an hour on that stupid screen and your instructions worked perfectly. Thanks again sit!

Jonathan

5 years ago

If I turn off then on will it go back to it Answer No

Bia

5 years ago

mine goes back to that same screen...f8. didn't help at all ctrl alt del didn't either please heeelllppp :/ win8

sherry

5 years ago

my computer say failure configuring windows updates reverting changes do not turn off computer. but It turned off and then when i turned back on it says the same thing what should i or shouldn't i do?

maya

5 years ago

Will this delet every thing from my computer?

Prem

5 years ago

F8 doesn't work for me

AUTHOR

Omogiade Stephen Nosakhare

5 years agofrom Lagos, Nigeria.

Follow the steps I discussed and the problem will be solved. If the problem persist contact Microsoft help desk or perhaps you may need to format your system.

shey

5 years ago

Hi .

I found an error " failure configuring windows update...... " so I waited then after a while it shows restarting. Then it goes back again in the same error..

AUTHOR

Omogiade Stephen Nosakhare

5 years agofrom Lagos, Nigeria.

Except there are other technical problems, the steps I discussed will bail you out.

sandeep d

5 years ago

hi ...i hav also got d same problem since 1 month." reverting changes , do not turn off ur computer". it takes almost 15 -20 mins to start my laptop. its windows 7.

AUTHOR

Omogiade Stephen Nosakhare

6 years agofrom Lagos, Nigeria.

hi, mahesh

What exactly is written on your PC screen. Is it the same as this article suggest. You got to do more explanation because there could be other factors, if this proffered solution did not help you.

mahesh

6 years ago

hi all my pc has the same problem but it was restarting every time ..... how can i over come this problem..... can any one tell me the solution for this....

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